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Summit Host Yanks Venezuela’s Invitation Over Early Election

February 13, 2018 9:50 PM

Associated Press

Peru's Foreign Minister Cayetano Aljovin speaks surrounded by other Foreign Ministers of the Lima Group after a private meeting concerning Venezuela in Lima, Peru, Feb. 13, 2018. The Lima Group met to weigh further action against Venezuelan President Nico

The host nation for a summit of Western Hemisphere leaders on Tuesday withdrew its invitation to Venezuelan leader Nicolas Maduro over his country's plan to hold an early presidential election.

Maduro had been among leaders invited to the Summit of the Americas, a regional gathering seen as the premier forum for projecting U.S. leadership in Latin America and the Caribbean.

However, Venezuela's pro-government election officials recently announced that the presidential election will be April 22, though traditionally the vote has been held late in the year. Setting the election date came hours after negotiations crumbled between the government and political opposition leaders over how to conduct the election so it is free and fair.

The United States has said it will reject the election, which also drew swift condemnation from condemnation from several of Venezuela's neighbors in Latin America as well as nations in Europe. They said the rushed ballot will undercut the political negotiations and is unfair to the opposition.

“His presence will no longer be welcome in said meeting,” Peruvian Foreign Minister Cayetana Aljovin said of Maduro's invitation to the Summit of the Americas.

Aljovin was backed by foreign ministers of the Lima Group, a coalition from 14 mostly conservative governments in the region formed last year to advocate for what it considers the restoration of democracy in Venezuela.

Its members include, among others, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia and Mexico.

The group also urged Maduro to allow a humanitarian corridor relieving Venezuela's suffering residents.